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The Abolition of Man

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The Abolition of Man

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Douglas Gresham
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About this listen

C S Lewis’s philosophical defence of Natural Law (absolute morality) – without which human beings are reduced to less than fully human, and are, thus ‘abolished’.

CS Lewis argues that objective value actually exists and that to believe otherwise is to create nonsense. Human beings appreciate values such as beauty and goodness because such things are part of reality – but if absolute morality is denied there will not be any progress for mankind as the things that matter most will be explained away.

‘I am very doubtful whether history shows us one example of a man who, having stepped outside traditional morality and attained power, has used that power benevolently.’

 Christian Living Christianity Literary History & Criticism Religious Studies Morality

Critic reviews

Reviews for C. S. Lewis:
“I read Lewis for comfort and pleasure many years ago, and a glance into the books revives my old admiration.” – John Updike

“If wit and wisdom, style and scholarship are requisites to passage through the pearly gates, Mr. Lewis will be among the angels.” – The New Yorker

“C. S. Lewis is the ideal persuader for the half-convinced, for the good man who would like to be a Christian but finds his intellect getting in the way.” – New York Times Book Review

“Lewis, perhaps more than any other twentieth-century writer, forced those who listened to him and read his works to come to terms with their own philosophical presuppositions.” – Los Angeles Times
All stars
Most relevant
An intellectual analysis of the modern abolition of foundational morality and its logical nullification of mankind. Deep stuff! Not lighthearted entertainment! Well read and produced.

Helpful moral philosophy

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It's a bonus that the narrator was the author's step-son! He reads well with a clear understanding and interpretation of the book itself. The Abolition of Man is a book that every person who considers themselves a "thinker" must listen to, or read, at least once. It contains so much food for thought, that it always warrants a re-reading. C. S. Lewis wrote about issues that were relevant in his time, supported his ideas by arguments that have been of interest to humanity since the beginning of recorded philosophy, and in doing so, Lewis wrote a book that is not only still relevant today, but may very well be of timeless importance in the days ahead.

Excellent in Every Way

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A very profound read, but it is so deep and transformative that to listen to it to audiobook might not give it justice. For me at least it went too quickly theough to digest it fully. I will probably listen to it again and consider buying a physical copy.

Very profound read

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I found this one to be interesting to listen to, especially as it’s fairly well-known and is by this particular author. It does miss some obvious considerations and counter arguments though, and ironically a complete reversal of what he is saying could equally be argued.

Interesting and worth listening to, but flawed

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